Metamerically Matched Surgical Illumination System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical illumination systems often cause a strobing effect due to alternation between spectrally distinct illuminants, which can be visually jarring for surgeons and negatively impact surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A system that generates metamerically matched illumination by sequencing and superimposing a first set of illuminants and a second set of illuminants, appearing as continuous white light to the user, using a processor and controller to adjust the amplitude and wavelength of light sources, such as LEDs, and monitoring tristimulus values in real-time to maintain a stable output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If spectrally distinct illuminants are alternated for surgical illumination, then illumination versatility is improved, but visual stability deteriorates due to strobing effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using multiple LED light sources with different spectral characteristics (e.g., blue LED with yellow phosphor, green LED with red and yellow phosphors) that can be individually controlled. By adjusting the intensity ratios of these different color wavelengths, the system creates illuminants that appear identical to the human eye (metamerically matched) while having different spectral compositions useful for various surgical imaging needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters by adjusting the intensity ratios of different wavelength components dynamically. The controller modifies the drive currents to each LED and phosphor combination, changing the spectral power distribution while maintaining constant perceived color temperature and color appearance, thereby resolving the contradiction between spectral versatility and visual stability.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple LED light sources with different wavelengths are used, then spectral coverage is improved, but color stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by incorporating photodetectors that continuously monitor the actual light output from each LED-phosphor combination. The controller uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust the drive currents, compensating for variations in LED aging, temperature drift, and manufacturing tolerances to maintain precise color stability across all wavelength components.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters by adjusting the intensity ratios of different wavelength components based on real-time measurements. This allows the system to maintain metamerically matched illuminants despite variations in individual LED outputs, ensuring consistent color appearance while providing broad spectral coverage for different surgical imaging requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively minimizes or eliminates the strobing effect, providing a stable and continuous white light perception, even in environments with multiple tissue types and surgical implements, thereby improving surgical conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a first blue light emitting diode (LED) and a first yellow phosphor in communication with the first blue LED and configured to convert a portion of the light from the first blue LED to a first broad spectrum yellow light; a first green LED and a first red phosphor and a first yellow phosphor in communication with the first green LED and configured to convert a portion of the light from the first green LED to a first broad spectrum yellow light and a first broad spectrum red light
Implementation Method 2
a processor configured to determine a metamerically matched illumination, the metamerically matched illumination including a first set of illuminants and a second set of illuminants that, when temporally sequenced and at least partially superimposed, appears as a continuous white light
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
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AI summary
Methods and systems are provided to generate metamerically matched illumination on a surgical site. The metamerically matched illumination may reduce or remove strobing effects associated with illumination devices during a surgery or surgical procedure. By metamerically matching illuminants in the illumination in combination with estimates of the human visual system, the illumination of the surgical site can visually appear to a user as a continuous white light, while maintaining distinct underlying spectra in the illumination. The light reflected by the surgical object may also be captured and metamerically matched, such that the reflected light appears as a single continuous color.